Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Mayor firstly welcomed the family of Lynda Murphy to the meeting and then gave her own personal tribute and reflections.  The Chief Executive spoke on behalf of the council’s staff and the Leader then highlighted Lynda’s various significant achievements whilst a councillor and as a member of Cabinet. The Leader introduced a special video that had been produced in Lynda’s memory.  

Other members of the council paid their own personal tributes and the Mayor concluded by once again offering her condolences of the whole council to Lynda’s family and friends.  The Mayor then called for an adjournment to the meeting so that she was able to speak in person with Lynda’s family.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 22 September be approved and adopted.

To receive any disclosure of interests from Members or Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note: Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and/or prejudicial interests in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct.

Councillors Lumby, Tod and Warwick declared personal (but not prejudicial) interests in relation to agenda items which may relate to Hampshire County Council matters due to their role as County Councillors.

Councillor Lumby also advised that with regard to agenda item 7 (a), he acted as a consultant within the regeneration group of a Southampton based firm of solicitors and that he was also a First Tier Tribunal Property Chamber Judge.

The Mayor firstly announced the formal launch of the annual Mayor of Winchester’s Community Awards and then referred to her various forthcoming charities events. The Mayor then reported on an event that was being arranged to launch and celebrate a refreshed version of the council’s Armed Forces Community Covenant. Finally, the Mayor announced that she was very pleased to advise that she had written to the following recipients of the recent Queen’s New Year Honours:

·         Robin Hutson – an OBE for Services to the hospitality industry and philanthropy.

·         Tim Jackson, lately of Sparsholt College - an OBE for Services to Further Education. 

·         Sonja Huxham, Basic Skills Development Manager, Army Training Regiment Winchester - a MBE for Services to Military Education.

The Mayor would also congratulate former city councillor Sir George Holingbery who had recently been appointed as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba and also former city councillor Caroline Dinenage (Minister of State for Health) who was appointed a Dame (DBE) in the 2022 Political Honours.

There were no announcements from the Leader and the Chief Executive announced apologies for the meeting.

To receive and answer and questions from the public.

(Questions must be received in writing by Democratic Services – democracy@winchester.gov.uk – no later than noon on ##)

Five written questions had been received from members of the public, who were in attendance at the meeting to present their questions, along with associated supplementary questions. The questions and response were subsequently set out on the council’s website.

a)            In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16, a petition was submitted by ‘A Lido for Winchester’ containing 2716 signatures. 

“We the undersigned petition the council to support the creation of a lido as part of either the North Walls Park Improvement or the redevelopment of the old leisure centre

Winchester has a long history of outdoor swimming which has been lost over the years with the closure of the Lido on Worthy Road and the river swimming pool in the water meadows. We would like the council to support its revival!

We would like the council to consider installing a lido as part of either the North Walls Park Improvement or the Redevelopment of the old leisure centre.

Lockdown has created a resurgence in outdoor sports and there is a great demand for outdoor swimming. The Walking Survey on North Walls Park in December 2020 suggested the possibility of a lido, and the North Walls Consultation Feedback in 2019 showed the strongest support (over 70%) for outdoor swimming.

There are many reasons why having a lido in Winchester would be great for our city.

Firstly, swimming outside is a lot of fun and a lido would be a draw for people to come to Winchester.

Secondly, outdoor swimming has been shown to have many positive benefits for physical and mental health and wellbeing - particularly important given the social impact of COVID.

Thirdly, outdoor swimming is good for increasing rates of physical activity in the community. A report carried out by the Outdoor Swimmer Magazine in 2020 found it attracts more women than men - the number of women swimming outdoors rose from 50% in 2017 to 65% in 2020. This is important as women overall are less likely to engage in sport. It would also provide a venue for young people to exercise and socialise.

Fourthly, swimming outdoors runs a lower risk of COVID transmission than swimming inside.

The River Park, due to its proximity to town and residential areas would be a perfect place for the Lido. A lido could be created inexpensively with simple outdoor shelters and changing facilities as they have done in places such as Abbey Meadows Lido in Abingdon or Petersfield. It could also house the cafe that is called for in the consultations.”

b)           In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16, a petition was submitted on behalf of Highcliffe Forum containing 350 signatures. 

“We the undersigned request that the Council carries out an adequately funded and inclusive community engagement exercise to determine the potential of the Bar End depot site to provide facilities for the local community.

This should be carried out before any further action is taken on selling the site. It should include discussion around the provision of a food store, housing and other community facilities, including activities and amenities identified in the Highcliffe Community Plan. Residents in Highcliffe, Bar End, Chilcomb Lane, St Giles Hill and the Wharf Hill areas should all be involved.  ...  view the full agenda text for item 6.

(a)         In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16, a petition was submitted by Ms Lucy Taylor regarding ‘a lido for Winchester’.  The details of the petition are set out on the agenda.

Ms Taylor introduced her petition and in summary, raised the following matters:

·         The petition had been extremely well supported and recommended that there should be a new lido for Winchester. That the lido would be best sited at the former River Park Leisure Centre as it would then be integrated with other existing leisure and recreational activities and also as the land here belonged to the people of Winchester for the purpose of public recreation.

·         Lidos provided benefits both to economic recovery and public health and helped support community cohesion for people of all ages. Outdoor swimming was particularly popular with woman and a lido therefore would help boost female participation in sport. A lido would also help ensure that Winchester continued to be a destination. 

The Leader responded to the matters in the petition and in Ms Taylor’s presentation and in summary, raised the following points:

·         Would welcome exploring ideas to expand existing opportunities for open water swimming in and around the district.

·         North Walls park and the old River Park Leisure Centre were located on a flood plain and therefore were unsuitable locations for a lido. 

·         The Town Forum had included plans to improve facilities for open air swimming as part of the North Walls park improvement plans.

·         The council needed to provide for all types of sporting facilities across the whole district. Having invested significantly in the Sports and Leisure Park at Bar End, the council was not in a position to invest further in new facilities in Winchester.

·         Petitioners could raise their own funds and find a site for a lido.  The council would willingly engage with the petitioners, but would be unable to support with any funding.

Council then proceeded to debate the petition and matters therein and in summary, the following matters were raised:

·         The number of signatures achieved by the petitioners demonstrated that there was a desire for different types of swimming. 

·         The Town Forum had recently established an outdoor swimming group to look at opportunities for all types of outdoor swimming in Winchester. There was a commitment for the provision of ‘water play’ facilities as part of the North Walls park improvements.

·         Informal or formalised outdoor swimming in local rivers may impact on wildlife and biodiversity.

·         Proposals from the University of Southampton would create opportunities to support other cultural and leisure activities in the area.  The Winchester town area has a high level capacity per head for swimming and the council must consider supporting the needs of other sports, arts and leisure groups.

·         Campaigning to improve the water quality of rivers was an important priority.

·         Lido build costs were estimated to be £8– 10 million and then required extra sources of income or subsidy to cover running costs.  Not all existing lidos in the country were run as affordable, community  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

a)    Cabinet – 15 December 2021

Central Winchester Regeneration - Outline Business Case (less exempt appendix E)

(Report Reference CAB3322)

RECOMMENDED:

That the Strategic Director with responsibility for the Central Winchester Regeneration project be authorised to initiate and conduct the procurement process for the selection of a development partner for the Central Winchester Regeneration project.

b)   Audit and Governance Committee  – 11 November 2021

Final Report and Pay Policy Statement 2022/23

(Report Reference AG62)

RECOMMENDED

That the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2022/23 is recommended to Council for adoption.

c)    Licensing and Regulation Committee  – 8 December 2021

Review of Statement of Principles under Gambling Act 2005

(Report Reference LR549)

RECOMMENDED:

That subject to the correction of minor typographical or formatting issues identified by the Committee, the draft Statement of Principles as set out at Appendix 1 to Report LR549 be adopted.

d)     Audit and Governance Committee  – 16 December 2021

Invitation to become an opted in authority – The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Local Audit (Appointing Person) Regulations 2015

(Report Reference AG66)

RECOMMENDED

That the Council accepts the Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) invitation to ‘opt-in’ to the sector led option for the appointment of external auditors for five consecutive financial years commencing 1 April 2023.

Councillor Learney (Cabinet Member for Housing and Asset Management) moved that the recommended Minute of Cabinet be approved and adopted (seconded by the Leader, Councillor Thompson).

Council proceeded to ask questions on the matters in the recommended minute and the report.  Council agreed that it did not need to ask questions or debate the information in exempt Appendix E to Report CAB3322.

AMENDMENT – Movedby Councillor Horrill and seconded by Councillor Lumby as follows:

“Under Council Procedure Rule 17.3 d this Council refers back the whole of this minute to Cabinet.

The Council supports the regeneration of Central Winchester strictly in accordance with the Supplementary Planning document 2018, including phased delivery with separate developers.

Cabinet is directed to bring a procurement proposal based on this approach to Council as soon as possible.”

With the permission of the Mayor, the meeting adjourned to allow informal discussion of the Amendment.    

Upon its reconvening Council proceeded to ask questions and debate the Amendment.

As it was the request of five Members present in the meeting a recorded vote was taken the Amendment.

The following Members voted in favour of the Amendment:

Councillors Brook, Cook, Cunningham, Gemmell, Godfrey, Horrill, Isaacs, Kurn, Lumby, Pearson, Read, Ruffell, Scott, Warwick, Weston.

The following Members voted against the Amendment:

Councillors Achwal, Becker, Bentote, Bronk, Clear, Cramoysan, Craske, Cutler, Edwards, Fern, Ferguson, Gordon-Smith, Green, Laming, Learney, Power, Prince, Radcliffe, Rutter, Thompson, Tippett-Cooper, Tod, Weir, Westwood, Williams.

No Members abstained from voting.

AMENDMENT NOT CARRIED.

Council the proceeded to continue to debate the matters in the recommended minute and the report.   

As it was the request of five Members present in the meeting a recorded vote was then taken on the recommended minute of Cabinet.

The following Members voted in favour of the recommended Minute of Cabinet:

Councillors Achwal, Becker, Bentote, Clear, Cramoysan, Craske, Cutler, Edwards, Fern, Ferguson, Gordon-Smith, Green, Learney, Power, Rutter, Thompson, Tippett-Cooper, Tod, Weir, Westwood, Williams.

The following Members voted against the recommended Minute of Cabinet:

Councillors Brook, Cunningham, Gemmell, Godfrey, Horrill, Isaacs, Kurn, Lumby, Pearson, Read, Ruffell, Warwick, Weston.

The following Members abstained from voting:

Councillors Bronk, Cook, Laming, Prince, Radcliffe, Scott.

RESOLVED:

That the Strategic Director with responsibility for the Central Winchester Regeneration project be authorised to initiate and conduct the procurement process for the selection of a development partner for the Central Winchester Regeneration project.  

Councillors Fern, Green, Prince, Ruffell and Radcliffe left at this point of the meeting

Councillor Power (Chairperson of the Audit and Governance Committee) moved that the recommended Minute of the Audit and Governance Committee be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Laming).

Council proceeded to ask questions on the matters in the recommended minute and the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2022/23 be adopted.

Councillor Bentote (Chairperson of the Licensing and Regulation Committee) moved that the recommended Minute of the Licensing and Regulation Committee be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Read).

RESOLVED:

That subject to the correction of minor typographical or formatting issues identified by the Committee, the draft Statement of Principles as set out at Appendix 1 to Report LR549  be adopted.

Councillor Power (Chairperson of the Audit and Governance Committee) moved that the recommended Minute of the Audit and Governance Committee be approved and adopted (seconded by Councillor Laming).

RESOLVED:

That the Council accepts the Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA) invitation to ‘opt-in’ to the sector led option for the appointment of external auditors for five consecutive financial years commencing 1 April 2023.  

(a)          To consider the following Notice of Motion to be proposed by Councillor Tippett-Cooper and seconded by Councillor Tod:

“Winchester City Council is committed to welcoming asylum seekers and refugees to our District and including them in our activities. The people in our district have shown kindness and openness in recent months with huge support when donations for evacuees from Afghanistan were needed. We are also a district with a rich network of organisations providing support to the most vulnerable in our society. As a Council, we recognise the importance of reflecting this spirit of our community and core values of openness, kindness and respect for others. Winchester City Council also recognises asylum seekers’ and refugees’ potential contribution to our district, and also recognises that a co-ordinated and forward-looking approach is needed if the welfare of people moving into the town, and community cohesion between new and existing communities, are to be supported effectively. 

To this end, we resolve to:

·                     Support organisations such as the University of Winchester (which is a University of Sanctuary), the community group Winchester City of Sanctuary, the Southampton & Winchester Visitors Group, Hampshire Cultural Trust and other key charities and community groups in their work to make Winchester a place of sanctuary;

·                     Welcome to Winchester district those fleeing violence and persecution in their own countries;

·                     Value the contribution those seeking sanctuary can make to our District;

·                     Support taking practical steps, in dialogue with the organisations above, to welcome and integrate all people into our communities, activities and culture;

·                     Challenge anti-refugee and anti-migrant attitudes wherever they are found and support the Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group and Winchester City of Sanctuary in the promotion of the Together With Refugees campaign calling for a fairer, kinder and more effective approach to supporting refugees in the UK;  

·                     Nominate a current Councillor(s) to act as a “Sanctuary Champion(s)”, who will endeavour to communicate with the organisations listed above to explore how we can develop further ideas to support asylum seekers and refugees who are resettled in our district; 

·                     We are willing for our organisation’s name to be added to a list of supporters of City of Sanctuary.

(b)          To consider the following Notice of Motion to be proposed by Councillor Godfrey and seconded by Councillor Horrill:

“This Council commits to clearly demonstrate that it is open and transparent in all its decision-making, specifically by:

·              Properly consulting all councillors and the public before making any significant decisions about council projects or other major financial transactions.

·              Within 12 months of a decision being made, publishing without restriction all papers used to support decisions on projects and other major financial transactions that were marked as exempt from publication at the time of the decision unless Full Council decides that these papers should remain exempt for a further 12 months.

·              Recording the discussions, submissions and decisions at all meetings attended by any person outside Winchester City Council and, where those meetings relate to any decision made afterwards, for these records to be available  ...  view the full agenda text for item 8.

(a)           In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, a Motion had been submitted by Councillor Tippett-Cooper as follows.  The Motion was seconded by Councillor Tod.

“Winchester City Council is committed to welcoming asylum seekers and refugees to our District and including them in our activities. The people in our district have shown kindness and openness in recent months with huge support when donations for evacuees from Afghanistan were needed. We are also a district with a rich network of organisations providing support to the most vulnerable in our society. As a Council, we recognise the importance of reflecting this spirit of our community and core values of openness, kindness and respect for others. Winchester City Council also recognises asylum seekers’ and refugees’ potential contribution to our district, and also recognises that a co-ordinated and forward-looking approach is needed if the welfare of people moving into the town, and community cohesion between new and existing communities, are to be supported effectively. 

To this end, we resolve to:

·            Support organisations such as the University of Winchester (which is a University of Sanctuary), the community group Winchester City of Sanctuary, the Southampton & Winchester Visitors Group, Hampshire Cultural Trust and other key charities and community groups in their work to make Winchester a place of sanctuary;

·            Welcome to Winchester district those fleeing violence and persecution in their own countries;

·            Value the contribution those seeking sanctuary can make to our District;

·            Support taking practical steps, in dialogue with the organisations above, to welcome and integrate all people into our communities, activities and culture;

·            Challenge anti-refugee and anti-migrant attitudes wherever they are found and support the Southampton and Winchester Visitors Group and Winchester City of Sanctuary in the promotion of the Together With Refugees campaign calling for a fairer, kinder and more effective approach to supporting refugees in the UK;  

·            Nominate a current Councillor(s) to act as a “Sanctuary Champion(s)”, who will endeavour to communicate with the organisations listed above to explore how we can develop further ideas to support asylum seekers and refugees who are resettled in our district; 

·            We are willing for our organisation’s name to be added to a list of supporters of City of Sanctuary”

Councillor Tippett-Cooper introduced his motion and Council then proceeded to ask questions and debate the Motion.

At conclusion of debate, Members were unanimous in its support of the motion.  Members particularly highlighted that the motion formalised the existing support to those in need that was provided by the council and local communities and also the demonstrated willingness to welcome refugees to the district. 

RESOLVED:

That this Council:

1.                    Supports organisations such as the University of Winchester (which is a University of Sanctuary), the community group Winchester City of Sanctuary, the Southampton & Winchester Visitors Group, Hampshire Cultural Trust and other key charities and community groups in their work to make Winchester a place of sanctuary;

2.                    Welcomes to Winchester district those fleeing violence and persecution in their own countries;

2.            Values the contribution those seeking sanctuary can  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To receive any resignations from committees and to make any necessary re-appointments.

RESOLVED:

1. For the Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Cramoysan to replace Councillor Williams as a full member of the committee and Councillor Rutter to replace him as a deputy.

2. For the Licensing and Regulation Committee, Councillor Evans to replace Councillor Williams.

3. For the Health and Environment Committee, Councillor Fern to replace Councillor Williams as a full member of the committee and Councillor Laming to replace him as a deputy.

The total time for questions and the answer and supplementaries thereto shall not exceed 30 minutes.

11 written questions had been received and are set out in full on the council’s website together with responses from the relevant cabinet member.

Due to the late hour of the meeting, Members agreed that should there be any supplementary questions arising from the response provided, that the original questioner contact the corresponding cabinet member directly. 

To consider whether in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

(i)            To pass a resolution that the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business because it is likely that, if members of the public were present, there would be disclosure to them of ‘exempt information’ as defined by Section 100 (I) and Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

1.         That in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

2.         That the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business because it is likely that, if members of the public were present, there would be disclosure to them of ‘exempt information’ as defined by Section 100I and Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

                    That the contents of the exempt appendix be note